The Freedom girls tennis team forced Patton to finish the match in doubles this go-around. But in the end, the host Lady Panthers triumphed by a 6-3 margin Thursday on Senior Day at PHS.
Patton seniors Emily San Miguel, Angela Pico and Laura Pico – all four-year players in the program – were recognized before the match.
Patton, led by San Miguel, then claimed four singles matches to set the pace.
San Miguel (no. 2) started the day off with a 6-0, 6-0 victory against the Lady Pats’ Samantha Roller. The senior ended her regular-season home career with a huge smile after hitting the final shot.
“I hit a cross-court winner on my final regular-season home match … It was an epic shot,” said San Miguel.
The Lady Panthers (11-2, 10-2 SMAC) also picked up singles victories from Taylor Fredrickson (no. 1), Miranda Hanlon (no. 3) and Liz Grady (no. 4).
Freedom answered with huge wins at the bottom of the ladder. Junior Amber LeGoullon (no. 5) battled back from one set down to escape with a 4-6, 6-0, 10-4 victory against Sallie McCurry, while freshman Hannah Kirksey (no. 6) rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the second set to capture a 6-1, 6-4 win against Carmen Causby.
Patton clinched the match with a Fredrickson/Hanlon 8-0 no. 1 doubles victory against Stevie Harrell/Jenny Lancaster. Patton’s no. 2 squad – San Miguel/Grady – toppled Roller/Katie Teofrio 8-5.
Freedom (7-5 SMAC) gained a point at the no. 3 doubles when LeGoullon/Kirksey downed McCurry/Causby, 8-4.
“I’m glad we finished with a win, and I have mixed feelings on Senior Day,” said PHS coach Rob Gregory. “I am happy for Emily, Angela and Laura and the great tennis career they have had at Patton, but sad knowing that I won’t have them as players next season.”
Patton finished first in the 3A portion of the conference while claiming the overall runner-up position behind unbeaten Shelby.
Patton, Freedom, Burns and R-S Central will each have two singles players and two doubles teams participate in the SMAC 3A conference tournament. The event will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday (first round, quarterfinals) and 3 p.m. Wednesday (semifinals, finals) at Patton.
East Burke 5, Newton-Conover 4 — The Lady Cavaliers captured a road CVAC 2A tennis match that was suspended on Sept. 26. EB (5-9, 4-9 CVAC) claimed four singles matches to take a 4-2 lead then grabbed the no. 2 doubles match to secure the team triumph and a season split with Newton-Conover.
Rachel Crump teamed with Haley Ervin to defeat the Lady Red Devils’ Brittany Connor/Kara Scheff 11-9 to clinch the victory.
In singles action, Crump (no. 1), Ivy Beth Abernethy (no. 2), Dakota Fulton (no. 3) and Kara Frogge (no. 5) claimed straight-set triumphs to push the Cavs to an early advantage.
East will host South Iredell Monday at 4 p.m. in the regular-season finale.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement